Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday, 28 August, tweeted that while he didn’t always agree with the Modi government, he was clear that Kashmir is India's internal matter.
In a tweet thread, Rahul held Pakistan responsible for instigating and supporting violence in Kashmir. He called Pakistan “the prime supporter of terrorism across the world.”
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala reiterated Rahul Gandhi’s statement that Kashmir is an internal matter, adding Pakistan cannot change this “irrevocable truth.”
He also said, “We've noticed reports citing an alleged petition moved by Pakistani government in United Nations on J&K, wherein the name of Rahul Gandhi has been mischievously dragged to justify the pack of lies and deliberate misinformation being spread by Pakistan,” ANI reported.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 26 August, categorically rejected any scope for third-party mediation between India and Pakistan on Kashmir, saying the two countries can discuss and resolve all issues bilaterally and "we don't want to trouble any third country."
Modi said India and Pakistan were together before 1947 and he was confident that the two neighbours can discuss their problems and solve them.
Modi made these remarks while interacting with the media alongside US President Donald Trump who, ahead of his meeting with the prime minister, had said that he would discuss the Kashmir issue with him on the sidelines of the G7 summit in the French town of Biarritz.
Trump had just recently, during a joint press conference with Pakistan PM Imran Khan, offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir.
‘Both India and Pakistan Can Resolve the Issue’: Trump
Trump said he and Modi spoke about Kashmir and he feels that both India and Pakistan can resolve it.
"We spoke last night about Kashmir, the Prime Minister really feels he has it (situation) under control. They speak with Pakistan and I'm sure that they will be able to do something that will be very good," Trump said.
Their meeting came against the backdrop of the Indian government revoking the special status to Jammu and Kashmir on 5 August. Tensions between India and Pakistan increased after India abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
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